The National Heavy Vehicle Charging Pilot

The National Heavy Vehicle Charging Pilot (the National Pilot) aims to design and test options for replacing heavy vehicle registration fees and fuel-based charges with a fairer, more transparent and more efficient user charging system.

There are two confirmed stages of the National Pilot:

Foundation (through 2018). This is a collaborative effort between governments, industry and expert consultants to model different charge options, work through options for charge collection, define data requirements and collect baseline information to support evaluation.

On-Road Mock Billing (late 2018-2020). Participants will report road use data and receive a ‘mock bill’ outlining what they would have paid under different charging scenarios.

Pending outcomes of the first two stages, a further two stages are planned:

Real Money Opt-in (2020 onwards—pending decisions of government). Testing a new charging system on an opt-in basis.

Industry are invited to participate in the design and foundation work that will progress through 2018. Major reports and information from the Foundation stage will be published as it is developed. Later in 2018, volunteers will be sought for the On-Road Mock Billing stage.

Participation is voluntary and the first two stages will not involve industry paying any charges. It is an opportunity for businesses to gain insights on how a potential new charging system could work for them.